Ignite's Job and Career Fairs: Connecting Employers with the Region's Talent
Each season, Ignite hosts Job and Career Fairs that strengthen community connections across the Capital Region. Through these events, employers can expand their recruitment efforts, increase their visibility, and connect with talented candidates they may not reach through traditional hiring methods.
Our Job and Career Fairs have become a trusted resource for workforce development, creating opportunities for job seekers to explore career paths while helping employers build lasting relationships with local talent.
Why employers keep coming back?
Employers consistently tell us that some of their best hires began with a simple conversation at an Ignite Job Fair. Rather than relying solely on online job postings, businesses seize the chance to meet candidates face-to-face, assess communication and interpersonal skills, answer questions about their organization, and identify individuals who could be a strong fit for current or future roles.
The quality of these connections is reflected in the feedback received after each event. For example, the representatives from The John Howard Society shared that they spoke with several strong potential applicants, while Beyond Behaviour, Hospice Fredericton, and Ability NB all reported positive interactions with quality candidates throughout the day.
““It was non stop conversations. Super happy to be there.””
CPA representative attending Job Seekers and participants
Many participating employers return year after year because of the quality and diversity of candidates they meet. From students searching for their first summer job to newcomers entering the Canadian workforce and experienced professionals exploring new opportunities, the Job Fair provides access to a broad talent pool in one convenient location.
For returning employers, the event continues to deliver results. CPA Canada, whose representative travels from Moncton to attend Ignite's Job Fairs, shared that they are always pleased with the experience and plan to continue participating in future events.
NB Power booth
NB Power found out that the most valuable thing about participating in this event compared to other recruitment methods is the visibility and exposure they have towards the Workforce, plus been considered a Community Partner.
Britney Shaw from JMC
First-time participants were equally impressed. Britney Shaw, representative from JMC described the event as highly successful and expressed their enthusiasm about returning, while Project Gaia was amazed by the number of attendees and looks forward to participating again.
Employer feedback also highlighted the value of building a recruitment pipeline. While not every conversation result in an immediate hire, many employers leave the event with interview candidates, applications to review, and new professional connections that support future recruitment efforts.
A workforce eager to connect
The Summer 2026 Job Fair, held on June 25, attracted 280 registered job seekers who provided valuable insight into the current needs of the Capital Region's workforce. More than 75% of participants identified finding job opportunities as their biggest challenge, demonstrating a strong pool of motivated individuals actively seeking to connect with employers.
It also showed that job seekers are seeking opportunities to engage directly with businesses. Almost 40% identified networking with employers as one of the most helpful forms of support, while 41.8% expressed interest in skills training and 31.1% wanted career coaching or job search guidance, reinforcing the importance of creating opportunities for employers and candidates to connect face-to-face rather than relying exclusively on online recruitment.
These are the biggest barriers to employment in the Capital Region, stated by the participants:
33.3% mentioned limited job opportunities in their field
24.9%, a lack of professional networks
23.4% mentioned insufficient Canadian work experience
Ignite's Job and Career Fairs help bridge these gaps, establishing an accessible space where employers and job seekers can start to build professional relationships.
More than just recruitment
What a better way for an employer to showcase their organization, promote their workplace culture, and increase brand recognition within the community? They identify that participating in Ignite’s Job and Career fair is more than just filling vacancies.
Many organizations seek in their participation a way to build awareness and engagement for future opportunities, even when they are not actively hiring for every position.
Corey Nutrition was present with its Premium brand Inukshuk
Employers also celebrated the overall experience. Representatives from Corey Nutrition highlighted how well organized the event was, specifically noting the welcoming registration area and the ballroom setup. Avenue NB shared that conversations at their booth were nonstop throughout the event, describing the experience as highly worthwhile and expressing how pleased they were to participate.
Benefits for job seekers are equally significant. Meeting employers in person builds:
Confidence,
Strengthens networking skills,
Provides insight into current labour market needs
A better understanding of the qualifications employers are seeking.
Although in some cases an immediate job offer is not made, a huge number of participants will leave with new contacts, valuable feedback, experience, and a fair path toward future employment.
Immigration NB session
Besides, each Job Fair includes training or informative sessions for both employers and job seekers. In this session, for employers and exhibitors, hosted by Immigration NB, guidance was provided on immigration pathways and employer/exhibitor support. It also answered questions about hiring and retaining international talent.
For Job Seekers, we had a dedicated Session - “Mental Health & Confidence during Job Search” provided by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
Some other perks they can find include a photobooth available to attendees for professional headshots, and the opportunity to register and participate, a couple days ahead of the event, in the Employment Bootcamp, hosted by Working NB, that covers topics such as:
Resume and cover letter guidance
Document printing support
How to introduce yourself effectively
Interview preparation and mock interview tips
Tips on professional appearance and presentation
What to bring and what to expect at a job fair
An introduction to Canadian workplace culture
To participate in it is always the best decision for anyone looking to get the most out of their job fair attendance; moreover, feedback from some of the employers like ANBL indicates that job seekers assisting the Employment Bootcamp are more motivated, draft stronger resumes, and have a higher-pitched performance in the interviews.
ANBL booth at the Summer 2026 Job and Career Fair
Learn, Grow, and Thrive
Learn, Grow, and Thrive, are part of our everyday core values. Taking seriously the feedback from employers let us continue to shape the evolution of Ignite's Job Fairs, while Job seekers observations, also provides valuable direction.
Survey responses showed that the primary ways attendees learn about the event are:
LinkedIn (26%)
Word of mouth (24.5%)
Community channels (22.3%)
Eventbrite (18.3%)
Facebook (16.1%)
Our commitment remains clear: to continue refining our marketing strategy and expanding our reach to even more employers and job seekers. These insights are a fundamental part of our continued improvement in bringing better experiences for everyone.
Growing stronger with every event
Ignite’s Workforce team
Every Job Fair provides more than recruitment opportunities; it offers valuable insight into the evolving needs of employers and the regional workforce. By listening to participants and continuously improving the experience, Ignite is helping build a stronger labour force, support local businesses, and contribute to the long-term economic growth of the Capital Region.
We are here whether an employer is looking to fill seasonal positions, recruit highly skilled professionals, or build a future talent pipeline.
Ignite's Job and Career Fairs will continue to demonstrate that some of the best opportunities begin with a simple conversation.